Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sailor, packing the right cruise essentials can make all the difference to your voyage.
From clever storage hacks to items that keep you cool, organised and comfortable, these are the top 12 cruise essentials we never sail without, plus the bonus item that might just bag you exceptional service onboard.
Best of all, everything is available on Amazon, perfect for last-minute cruisers, or on Anchors Up, the leading UK cruise essentials store.
Cruise lines now ask you to print and attach your own luggage tags — but they don’t mention the chaos that can happen if those flimsy paper tags get ripped, wet, or lost in transit…
And let’s be honest — especially for us UK cruisers, the weather in Southampton isn’t always perfect. Rain, wind, and general chaos at the port are a recipe for paper tags to go missing before your holiday even begins.
I’ve seen it happen more times than we can count — guests boarding the ship only to find their luggage hasn’t made it to their cabin. Why? The tag got torn off or became unreadable somewhere between baggage drop-off and the ship.
That means a trip down to Deck 0 in the evening of your first day on board, where you’ll join a queue of frustrated passengers rummaging through dozens of unclaimed bags. It happened to me on my second cruise ever. Instead of settling in with a drink and enjoying sailaway, I was frantically searching through a sea of suitcases. Lesson learnt.
Now I always use these heavy-duty, waterproof luggage tag holders with stainless steel loops. Buy them once, and you’ll use them on every cruise going forward. This is one of those small cruise essentials that makes a big difference. Don’t leave it to chance — protect your tags properly and start your holiday stress-free.
With variants for P&O, Marella (TUI), MSC, Cunard, and other cruise lines, be sure to buy the right ones!
Normal power strips and extension leads are banned on cruise ships due to fire risks from surge protectors. But with limited plug sockets and USB ports in cabins, charging all your devices while on board can be a real headache.
These compact cruise-approved travel adaptors solve that problem having been specifically designed for use on ships. They feature 2 UK sockets, 4 fast-charging USB ports (3 USB-C, 1 USB-A), and even include a handy night light.
They have been tested to work on P&O, Marella (TUI), MSC, Princess, Norwegian (NCL) and more, giving you peace of mind.
Available in UK, EU, and US plug variants. Read our Ultimate Guide To Cabin Plug Sockets to find the right adaptors for you ship.
When onboard a ship, your cruise card becomes a room key, ID, payment method, and even a passport for when disembarking and reboarding. The last thing you want is to lose it.
These lanyards keep your cruise card secure, accessible, and hands-free, so you can leave your wallet safely in the cabin. We love this set for its detachable clip, which makes it easy to hand over to crew when ordering a drink.
No one plans on spending their cruise feeling queasy – but even the calmest seas can get unexpectedly choppy.
These long lasting, discreet seasickness patches use natural ingredients to relieve the nausea and dizziness caused by motion sickness, without drowsiness or other side effects.
We always pack a few just in case – and they’ve saved us more than once on rough sea days! Lightweight, waterproof, and easy to apply behind the ear: they’re a cruise essential you’ll be glad you brought.
If patches aren’t your vibe, these anti-seasickness wristbands are just as effective, and are also great for any pregnant women and small kids in your party.
They use the proven power of acupressure therapy to target specific pressure points in the wrist to ease nausea and dizziness.
We love this set of two pairs (four wristbands total) as the stretchy, elasticated fabric is comfy enough to wear all day and fits adults and children alike.
They’re also machine washable and come with a handy carry case to store away for your next cruise!
Did you know cruise cabin walls are made of metal? This means that while space may be tight, you can stick these magnetic hooks anywhere on the walls or ceiling to create instant extra storage.
We use them to hang hats, clothes, bags, lanyards and anything else we’d rather keep off the floor or limited surfaces.
We like this set because each hook holds up to 12kg. Lightweight, compact and endlessly useful, they’re a small cruise essential that makes a surprisingly big difference.
Staterooms can get pitch black at night, especially if you’ve booked an interior cabin. And trying to navigate an unfamiliar space in the dark is a recipe for stubbed toes and disrupted sleep.
This night light has a motion-activated sensor and gives off a soft glow just when you need it. It also has a built-in magnet, so you can mount it anywhere in the cabin. I like to place it outside the bathroom, low to the floor, to make late-night trips easy.
No need to worry about packing batteries either. The USB-rechargeable battery lasts up to 7 days on a single charge, though I’ve found it lasts much longer when left on auto mode.
Until I found out about these, I always felt like someone had to stay behind from having fun in the pool or the sea to keep the phones safe. And that person was usually me!
These waterproof phone pouches fit all phones up to 7 inches (even with a case!) and still leave a little room for cruise cards, cash or other small valuables.
They really are waterproof and you can still use your phone’s touch screen while it’s in the pouch, as well as the camera.
The lanyards on these ones are comfortable enough to wear around your neck all day, so you can leave the bag in the cabin. And when in water, your phone floats on the surface like it’s in it’s own rubber ring!
This over door hanging organiser is perfectly sized to hang on the back of your cabin’s bathroom door, instantly doubling your storage space.
With 24 breathable mesh pockets, we use it to stash sunglasses, flip-flops, SPF, charging cables, and all the little bits that can clutter up your cabin surfaces, while keeping everything visible and easy to grab.
The included steel hooks make installation simple, and its flame-retardant design keeps it cruise-compliant.
Top Tip: Since cruise cabin walls are metal, you can swap the provided hooks for separate magnetic ones and hang the organiser anywhere in the room, not just on the bathroom door.
This handy handheld travel fan is a cruise essential for staying cool in the heat.
Cruise cabins can get pretty stuffy, and onboard air conditioning isn’t always reliable. I like to place this fan freestanding in its folded position to keep the air moving while I relax.
It’s designed to fit comfortably in your hand, but the included lanyard also makes it easy to wear around your neck while exploring the ship or heading off on excursions.
Rechargeable via USB, it lives up to its 7-hour battery life in my experience. With five power settings, it offers quick relief on even the hottest days at sea.
It can get pretty windy up on deck, especially on sea days. That’s why I always pack a set of these handy towel clips to keep my towel securely in place on the lounger.
With everyone using the same cruise line-issued towels, it’s also surprisingly easy to lose track of your spot. These colourful clips make it easy to spot your lounger at a glance, and have become a go-to cruise essential in my packing list.
These packing cubes are a total game-changer for cruise travel. With limited cabin space, staying organised is key, and with this 7-piece set, I can unpack in seconds and keep the cabin looking pristine.
Each cube helps separate outfits, shoes, and accessories, so you’re never rummaging through your suitcase to find what you need. The built-in compression straps also help you fit more in, which is deal for longer sailings or shared cabins.
Cruise staff work tirelessly behind the scenes to make your holiday unforgettable, often for modest pay and in less-than-ideal conditions.
We always pack a set of these thank you cards to show appreciation to the crew members who go above and beyond to look after us on board. The included envelopes also make them a discreet and thoughtful way to leave a tip.
And in our experience, a small act of kindness like this can often lead to truly exceptional service and lifelong memories.
The bottom line
Cruise cabins are compact, the weather can be unpredictable, and sea days come with their own set of surprises. But with the right gear, you’ll be ready for anything.
These cruise essentials have been tried, tested and trusted on many voyages. While not every item will make or break your holiday, they’re all affordable and can be used time and time again.
Add them to your packing list, and thank me later.
